In the summer, there is nothing worse than coming home from a long day at work and being greeted by an air conditioner that doesn’t seem to be on. In most cases, aircon is dripping water. In this blog post, we will discuss 2 ways to fix when aircon is dripping water. So, your cooling system can keep up with all of your needs!
1. Keep the coils clean
The evaporator and condenser coils are most commonly found in your unit’s outdoor unit, but can also be found in the indoor portion of split-systems. These coils are responsible for cooling your home throughout the summer months, so they need to remain clean at all times. Failure to keep these coils clean can lead to a number of problems, such as reduced airflow and inefficient cooling.
To clean the coils on your outdoor unit, you will need:
- 50 ft. Coil Cleaning Brush (available at most home improvement stores)
- A ladder (if the coil is located high up)
Begin by turning off all power to your AC system and placing a fan in front of the outside unit to ensure that there is enough airflow to prevent any accidents from occurring while you’re working with tools around the machine. Next, use your ladder or step stool to access the outer casing where the pump and coil assembly live inside an aluminum shell. Before accessing this area, it may be best to brush off any debris from around this area so you don’t accidentally blow it into the unit and cause more damage.
Once you’re ready to begin, remove the four screws that hold the casing in place and lift it up. The holes will fit over square plates on each corner of the exterior, so as long as you can get them off easily, you should be fine. After removing the corners, carefully move the cover over so you don’t tear any wires or contact any parts inside.
Begin brushing away any dust or debris from around your AC coils using your Coil Cleaning Brush . Once this is done, turn on your power supply and start-up your AC system again to ensure everything is working properly before reassembling and returning to its proper location. If all goes well, there shouldn’t be any more cooling problems when you turn it back on.
2. Replace the Drain Pan Gasket
The drain pan gasket is an often-forgotten part of your air conditioner that may cause leaks when not properly maintained or replaced when damaged. This rubber seal typically sits between an outer shell and a metal bottom portion of the unit, where it makes contact with both in order to create a waterproof barrier. Over time, these gaskets can begin to wear out or tear due to corrosion from environmental factors like rainwater, pesticides, etc., but they are fairly inexpensive and easy to replace yourself in most cases!
To replace this gasket: Begin by turning off all power for your AC system before removing the gasket. Check the unit to determine whether there is any water currently in the pan before removing it, and if this is a split-system, ensure that the indoor fan stops spinning when you turn off the power. Once you’ve done this, remove all fasteners from around the circumference of your pan where they attach to the bottom portion of your air conditioner. Carefully lift up one side using a flathead screwdriver or other thin item while reaching under with your opposite hand until you can grab it with both hands and take it off completely. You should then be able to see your gasket, which should be visible from either end of your unit where it attaches to each respective side.